Obama's powerful Tucson omission

By
Jonathan Capehart

Some of the most poignant words of any speech are the ones that don't appear in the prepared text, if one exists. They are the ones that bubble forth during delivery. Because they are unscripted, their authenticity and their power are immediately felt. President George W. Bush's "I can hear you" moment on a smoldering pile at Ground Zero is a prime example. And last night, President Obama gave us one of his own.

The moment came near the end of his peroration on the need for civility in our national debate, and he tied it to the memory of slain nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green. The prepared text read:

I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us - we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations.

But when it came to deliver the lines, Obama -- in either a rhetorical slip or a deliberate omission -- dropped the "us" in that first line. "I want to live up to her expectations," the president said.

For the first time in an address that soared at 30,000 feet, Obama came down to earth. Through a simple line, Obama powerfully and personally embraced his own demand of Americans. "All of us," he went on to say, "we should do everything we can do to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations." It was as if he were implicitly taking responsibility for whatever role he played in the nation's toxic political discourse. After a tragedy such as Tucson, that's what leaders do.

I heard the line and was struck by the fact that he personalized it so. But I did not think about the power of it until you pointed it out. Whether purposefully, or a slip, I hope President Obama continues to lead by setting the personal example.

What is toxic about political disagreement? And what did political differences have to do with the lunatic causing this tragedy? The obvious answer is, nothing! So Mr. Capehart, what the hell are you and the President talking about?

Oh god, here you follow the lead of Boss Robinson, and start the rose petals flowing for the president. He calls him a savior, and you call him a man who finally became one of us in some special moment. Your writing is at best sophomoric and puerile. Why does the WP persist in giving us less real news, and instead, fill the paper with blithering columnist drivel that none of your "real people", read or care about in the least?

FLASHBACK 2008: Remember when spitting, rock throwing and chemical spraying were "the highest form of patriotism"?
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protest-update-spitting-rock-throwing-poison-spraying-and-cub-scout-harassing

Obama's Leftist "progressives" spent the last DECADE on CNN committing acts of criminal mayhem during their kristalnaght-style, anti-Semitic gutter riots (masquerading as "peace" protests) in support of Islamo-supremacism to achieve their hate-America political agenda. http://www.zombietime.com/hall_of_shame

Yet Leftists now have the temerity to climb up on their hind legs (without a shred of evidence) and howl about "nutjob" conservatives?

This Weatherman indoctrinated shooter was one of your own. Own him, Leftists.

"Jared Lee Loughner, the suspected gunman in Saturday's Arizona shooting, attended a high school that is part of a network in which teachers are trained and provided resources by a liberal group founded by Weatherman terrorist Bill Ayers and funded by President Obama..."

KaddafiDelendaEst |---you are so racist its actually funny..Jared a friend of yours? You didnt hear anything your President said did you? Are you that racist that you cant appreciate the fact that he is trying to heal our country? If you hate being here so much, leave!

Actually the American people have roundly dismissed the media's disgusting slander:

"Some of the early news coverage of the shootings discussed whether the increasingly inflammatory language used in political debate today could have motivated the shooter to attack the Democratic member of Congress. That theory was put forth by the sheriff of Pima County, Ariz., who argued that conservative thought leaders like Sarah Palin use language that may encourage their supporters to commit acts of violence against their opponents.

Most Americans reject that theory, with 53% agreeing that commentators who allege conservative rhetoric was responsible were mostly attempting to use the tragedy to make conservatives look bad. "

Obama warned us about blame and finger pointing and here are all you bigots hiding behind computers doing exactly what got us here..Left or right..We are Americans. If Bush or some other white politician gave the same speech, you would rave about how much of a patriot they are..Stop the girlie blood clot crying..He is cleaning up the mess of so many bad decisions before he got in office. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

The President's speech was wonderful. Taking personal responsibility for political action is great. I merely want those who used this tragedy to paint the opposition with an inappropriate broad brush to make a bit of an apology. That includes Capehart.

i'm not saying this guy is typical left wing fare but look at the adjectives he uses to describe anything to do with christine o'donnell and sarah palin (contempt is the word) and how obama (30,000 feet high) and they wonder why we don't beleive them anymore

i'm not saying this guy is typical left wing fare but look at the adjectives he uses to describe anything to do with christine o'donnell and sarah palin (contempt is the word) and how obama (30,000 feet high) and they wonder why we don't beleive them anymore

A few days before this concert they had real memorial services at a Catholic church. A Rabbi was there and they had 9 little girls who were in Christina’s choir come in and sing Amazing Grace.

That was a respectful Memorial. The families were able to greave and were embraced by those whom really matter.

The sideshow freak-fest must have been a shock to these poor people. I noticed the Husband of Gabby’s was non-plussed during the show. I saw him shake his head a few times, albeit slightly. Guess he didn’t want the media riding him about it.

God Bless those who have injured and murdered families. They will one day be able to heal from this tragedy and move on with their lives.

I have a feeling Obama and his media toadies just made a whole batch of new conservatives over this epic embarrassment.

KaddafiDelendaEst, you certainly are obsessed with those Somali teens, aren't you? You also seem to forget that they were pirates holding a freighter captain prisoner, and refused our Navy's order to surrender.

Most Americans reject that theory, with 53% agreeing that commentators who allege conservative rhetoric was responsible were mostly attempting to use the tragedy to make conservatives look bad. "
*********************************
Even if this quickie poll of dubious wording you cite is accurate, with the margin of error it means roughly half of Americans believe violent conservative rhetoric was responsible for the massacre in Tucson, hardly "roundly dismissed" by Americans as a whole.

There is only one word for this article and that is, "TRIPE". The event was just another political campagin for Obama and it was clear to the trained eye that he was reading from the teleprompter and the "APPLAUSE SIGN" was going off and on to que the crowd when to clap and when to stop.

It was a sickening display and if democrats or those at Fox News think it helped Obama, they are as wrong as wrong can be. This display of joy and "CHEER LEADING" over the deaths and injuries of innocent people elevated in an attempt to support a failed leader will do nothing but hurt the efforts of the democratic party especially those on the progressive/liberal elite side. The congrsswoman who was shot, voted against Palosi and ran against the Palosi/Reid agenda. Therefore, moving ahead to repeal health care, is exactly what she was preparing for and quite possibly what she wanted.

This is nothing but a political ploy by the left and they should be ashamed of themselves, but they are not and the event offers proff they will stoop to new lows in order to push their liberal agenda.

The entire aftermath sickens me as an American and as an individual who deeply cares about the the process of our republic, which in my perception is warped by progressive democrats.

There is only one word for this article and that is, "TRIPE". The event was just another political campagin for Obama and it was clear to the trained eye that he was reading from the teleprompter and the "APPLAUSE SIGN" was going off and on to que the crowd when to clap and when to stop.

It was a sickening display and if democrats or those at Fox News think it helped Obama, they are as wrong as wrong can be. This display of joy and "CHEER LEADING" over the deaths and injuries of innocent people elevated in an attempt to support a failed leader will do nothing but hurt the efforts of the democratic party especially those on the progressive/liberal elite side. The congrsswoman who was shot, voted against Palosi and ran against the Palosi/Reid agenda. Therefore, moving ahead to repeal health care, is exactly what she was preparing for and quite possibly what she wanted.

This is nothing but a political ploy by the left and they should be ashamed of themselves, but they are not and the event offers proff they will stoop to new lows in order to push their liberal agenda.

The entire aftermath sickens me as an American and as an individual who deeply cares about the the process of our republic, which in my perception is warped by progressive democrats.

Seems you are the most biased of them all trying to sensor free speech. You put this article out there and now it is time to reep what you sew. So man up and take it like a professional or go home to your mama and cry about it.

There is only one word for this article and that is, "TRIPE". The event was just another political campagin for Obama and it was clear to the trained eye that he was reading from the teleprompter and the "APPLAUSE SIGN" was going off and on to que the crowd when to clap and when to stop.

It was a sickening display and if democrats or those at Fox News think it helped Obama, they are as wrong as wrong can be. This display of joy and "CHEER LEADING" over the deaths and injuries of innocent people elevated in an attempt to support a failed leader will do nothing but hurt the efforts of the democratic party especially those on the progressive/liberal elite side. The congrsswoman who was shot, voted against Palosi and ran against the Palosi/Reid agenda. Therefore, moving ahead to repeal health care, is exactly what she was preparing for and quite possibly what she wanted.

This is nothing but a political ploy by the left and they should be ashamed of themselves, but they are not and the event offers proff they will stoop to new lows in order to push their liberal agenda.

The entire aftermath sickens me as an American and as an individual who deeply cares about the the process of our republic, which in my perception is warped by progressive democrats.

Get beyond the superficial appeal that normally accompanies Obama's speeches, and Obama failed on the leadership front by focusing on the political debate and our societies vague shortcomings. The FIRST responsibility of a leader is to identify WHAT'S IMPORTANT. Afterall, to lead, especially in government, is to set priorities, balance what are often competing and compelling interests. The level of civility or contentiouness in our political debates is irrelevant to this tragedy. As is the inherently imperfect nature of our society. In talking about things that are beside the point, Obama came across like a high school football coach who feels like he needs to give a halftime speech but doesnt really know what to say. And even if civility was relevant to what happened, fact is its short-sighted and a lack of vision to succomb to the facile conclusion that we need to trade freedoms to gain a feeling of security.

Get beyond the superficial appeal that normally accompanies Obama's speeches, and Obama failed on the leadership front by focusing on the political debate and our societies vague shortcomings. The FIRST responsibility of a leader is to identify WHAT'S IMPORTANT. Afterall, to lead, especially in government, is to set priorities, balance what are often competing and compelling interests. The level of civility or contentiouness in our political debates is irrelevant to this tragedy. As is the inherently imperfect nature of our society. In talking about things that are beside the point, Obama came across like a high school football coach who feels like he needs to give a halftime speech but doesnt really know what to say. And even if civility was relevant to what happened, fact is its short-sighted and a lack of vision to succomb to the facile conclusion that we need to trade freedoms to gain a feeling of security.

Get beyond the superficial appeal that normally accompanies Obama's speeches, and Obama failed on the leadership front by focusing on the political debate and our societies vague shortcomings. The FIRST responsibility of a leader is to identify WHAT'S IMPORTANT. Afterall, to lead, especially in government, is to set priorities, balance what are often competing and compelling interests. The level of civility or contentiouness in our political debates is irrelevant to this tragedy. As is the inherently imperfect nature of our society. In talking about things that are beside the point, Obama came across like a high school football coach who feels like he needs to give a halftime speech but doesnt really know what to say. And even if civility was relevant to what happened, fact is its short-sighted and a lack of vision to succomb to the facile conclusion that we need to trade freedoms to gain a feeling of security.

What's the matter Capeheart and friends? You can't take a difference of opinon? This is the fouth time I have posted.
Are you trying to damper freedom of speech? You wrote this crap and put it out for everyone to read. So, now its time for you to man up and deal with a difference of opinion and the truth. If you can't take it, go home crying to your mom about it and just stop writing political comentary. My opinion is just a s vaild as yours. And, you can't stop me from posting this exact same post on other articles. I will be heard and you progressives will hear me.

The following is exactly what I posted four times and I will continue to try to have this posting posted.

There is only one word for this article and that is, "TRIPE". The event was just another political campagin for Obama and it was clear to the trained eye that he was reading from the teleprompter and the "APPLAUSE SIGN" was going off and on to que the crowd when to clap and when to stop.

It was a sickening display and if democrats or those at Fox News think it helped Obama, they are as wrong as wrong can be. This display of joy and "CHEER LEADING" over the deaths and injuries of innocent people elevated in an attempt to support a failed leader will do nothing but hurt the efforts of the democratic party especially those on the progressive/liberal elite side. The congrsswoman who was shot, voted against Palosi and ran against the Palosi/Reid agenda. Therefore, moving ahead to repeal health care, is exactly what she was preparing for and quite possibly what she wanted.

This is nothing but a political ploy by the left and they should be ashamed of themselves, but they are not and the event offers proff they will stoop to new lows in order to push their liberal agenda.

The entire aftermath sickens me as an American and as an individual who deeply cares about the the process of our republic, which in my perception is warped by progressive democrats.

Most Americans reject that theory, with 53% agreeing that commentators who allege conservative rhetoric was responsible were mostly attempting to use the tragedy to make conservatives look bad. "
*********************************
Even if this quickie poll of dubious wording you cite is accurate, with the margin of error it means roughly half of Americans believe violent conservative rhetoric was responsible for the massacre in Tucson, hardly "roundly dismissed" by Americans as a whole.

Posted by: dnahatch1

= = = = = = = = =

Nah, only 35% do. they also asked that question.

The rest probably don't care.

By the way, President Obama asserted in his speech that "it did not".

So take it from your leader, YOU ARE WRONG.

Give up already. You went off all crazed with anger and hatred before you had any facts. The facts are - and again I quote President Obama - that "IT DID NOT."

Capehart, are you kidding? First, you need to stop having coffee with Michele Malkin and the rest of the Tea Baggers who post here. Second, you need to stop humping Shrub's leg. I've got two yearly daily desk calendars with 1500 "W" malprops.

Chris 561 561...
If he had said nothing, you'd criticize him for that. No matter what the man does, you have something negative to say.
But I sort of understand that -- because no matter what sarah palin says or does, I will be ready to criticize her.

I will do my best to understand the illness of the people that read and blog this article. I've learned just had toxic some people have become. Read the book "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate life" by Karen Armstrong. Maybe it will help. Find peace my people.

I will do my best to understand the illness of the people that read and blog this article. I've learned just had toxic some people have become. Read the book "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate life" by Karen Armstrong. Maybe it will help. Find peace my people.

I will do my best to understand the illness of the people that read and blog this article. I've learned just had toxic some people have become. Read the book "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate life" by Karen Armstrong. Maybe it will help. Find peace my people.

Hey People;
The posts here are really vitriol from some than other blogs I have seen. These CRAZIES are your next Shooter of Opportunity! If any of you know these NUTS personally ..... PLEASE TURN THEM IN!

Hey People;
The posts here are really vitriol from some than other blogs I have seen. These CRAZIES are your next Shooter of Opportunity! If any of you know these NUTS personally ..... PLEASE TURN THEM IN!

Boy this incident really got up KaddafiDelendaEst's pants. He hasn't stopped ranting on here all day cutting and pasting the same thins from one blog to the next. I think pharmacutical solutions to mental problems are overused but could someone drop a Rx or two off for him.

KaddafiDelendaEst points the fickle finger of fools at Obama, but fails to point at Bush who killed more that 3 Somali teenage pirates holding a US citizen hostage. The Navy did the right thing. So, it's OK for Bush /Cheny to kill thousands of Iraquis but bad for Obama to kill 3 pirates. Go figure! But KaddafiDelendaEs's no racist .... just an idiot!

Sigh. More of the same. Inflammatory rhetoric inflames people. Duh. The unhinged crack first, but even seemingly civilized people fall victim when the heat gets high enough and enough people are fanning it. Think Nazi, al Qaeda, Ku Klux Klan. I haven't bought my Glock yet, but not because of any common sense or reassuring rationality from the Palin/ Beck/ Limbaugh crowd.

"These comments need to be moderated. Currently, the trolls are allowed to run amok."
Posted by: gbooksdc | January 13, 2011 6:47 PM
==
I completely agree with you.
I know moderation is not cheap, but it would enhance the Washington Post website enormously.
RE: the messages.
"Teleprompter"?
There was no teleprompter at that service.
Side shots of the podium made that clear.
So many young college students attended that meeting.
Their energy was high.
They did not cheer the tragedy.
They cheered the good news about the survivors and they cheered the many heroes who attended, as well as those who were deceased because they tried to shield others.
They cheered the encouragement of the President urging our country to live up to the expectations of our young people, appealing to the best in our national nature.
Contrasted with the Oklahoma City memorial, where the loss was massive, there were few rescuers in attendance because they were still searching the rubble, the grief was unremitting, this memorial gave hope for the future.
My husband and I were not offended; we were truly delighted at all the good news.
With Vice-President Biden in Afghanistan trying to assess the possibility that we can effect a major pull-out of troops this year, and President and Mrs. Obama in Tucson, I don't hold it against him that he stayed in Washington, as 3rd in line.
But I bet he regrets he missed Tucson.
My question is:
Where was Senator John McCain?
I don't understand that.
Rather sad.
Something tells me that today, Sen. McCain, in his inner heart, wishes he had set partisanship aside and accompanied the President on this trip.
My 2 cents.

Posted at 11:55 AM ET, 01/13/2011
Obama's powerful Tucson omission
By Jonathan Capehart
"Some of the most poignant words of any speech are the ones that don't appear in the prepared text, if one exists..."

Here's something moist for all you vitriol bashers, Regarding the return to uncivil civility by the author-in-chief of surreptitious vitriol...

Your Healboy-in-Chief did not fail to put the Me in Memorial, and his whole speech was all about the State of not being all about civility in the Puuublic Debaaate, no wonder various anatomy and appendages on you people tingles everytime he sticks another debatably big one in the Keister of Middle Majority of the United States of a Constitutionally Governed (or better be soon) America.

RichNomore, you want to talk about a "debatably big one in the Keister of Middle Majority"? . . Well, the biggest one is this, 98% of our population owns nothing more than just 2% of our wealth. Now that's the "biggest one" of all. . . . . . . . How do you think the far-right can dominate our public airwaves with such little challenge?

What do you think happened between 50', 60's, & 70's and today? . . In those earier years 80% owned 20% of our nation's wealth, and those days were America's golden age ( so far ). Now 2% of the American population has gobbled up almost everything. And they've got a ring right through your middle class nose, and there it will stay.

MAIN FUNDERS OF THE LEFT
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/funders.asp

Ford Foundation
Open Society Institute
Schumann Center for Media and Democracy
Tides Foundation and Tides Center
Pew Charitable Trusts
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Council on Foundations

It was both disgusting and incredibly revealing to listen to Sister Sarah(of the great unread masses) unload her diatribe----after hiding in her burrow for a few days. (I listened because my stomach begins a great upheaval if I have to look at her pasty face distorted with venom).
The question remains, and all the right-wing blathering continues to avoid it, as to her motive in using the vile term "blood-Libel".

There can be only two possibilities.

1)---Someone else wrote the words and Palin failed to ask the meaning of the term...(which would merely reaffirm the fact that she is basically an ignorant person---unfit for public office...

or....

2)---She understood what the words meant and CHOSE to hurl a disgusting slur at Jews everywhere( which would also reaffirm the fact that she is basically an ignorant person---unfit for public office...AND a bigot as well.

Is there another possibility? With all the right wing outrage---after all it WAS the conservatives who ASSUMED the worst---where is the answer?
I can only make an assessment based on what she has said and done publicly....and I cannot in any way conclude that she is NOT a radical, hateful bigot. She is, after all, married to man who wants his state to seceed from the union, worships with a certified witch doctor, has failed as a parent, and quit as a governor.
Not a lot to offer the people of America.
This is, of course, why the Dems would love to see her nominated in 2012, but looking at the wider field of possible GOP candidates, those who support a second term for Obama should be feeling rather comfortable. After all---what has ANY republican president ever REALLY done for middle America? Unless tied to a give-away for the wealthy...the answer lies in TRUTH and HISTORY. NOT A WHOLE LOT!

The comments of those who blamed President Obama for the tone of the Arizona memorial, lacking any respect for the right of the Arizona people to determine thier own memorial in thier grief, completely ignored reality and the fact that the President sat quietly in the seat until all other speakers had spoken, the crowd has rosen and applauded many times and the tone was well-established and reflected the wishes of the Arizona people. Those are people who can deny reality to criticise the President. Unfortunately, there are too many of them in this country at this time - blind, biased, deliberately uninformed people.

Jonathan, the President was very much down to earth in his address in Tucson. Perhaps you missed the long pause, the catch in his voice as he spoke. Perhaps you missed the subtle inclusion of "life partners" along with husbands and wives, when he spoke of those we should "tell each and every day how desperately we love them."

I don't know if the President's tweak of his prepared text was deliberate or just a slip. Either way, his message would have been just as powerful to us and just as personal to him.

For those of us who do not seek out the embargoed versions of the President's speeches, who are content to let events unfold without the necessity to pick every nit, nothing can detract or change the powerful message the President delivered.

Jonathan, the President was very much down to earth in his address in Tucson. Perhaps you missed the long pause, the catch in his voice as he spoke. Perhaps you missed the subtle inclusion of "life partners" along with husbands and wives, when he spoke of those we should "tell each and every day how desperately we love them."

I don't know if the President's tweak of his prepared text was deliberate or just a slip. Either way, his message would have been just as powerful to us and just as personal to him.

For those of us who do not seek out the embargoed versions of the President's speeches, who are content to let events unfold without the necessity to pick every nit, nothing can detract or change the powerful message the President delivered.

I was wondering if anyone else had caught that. I thought, "OMG! Why is he putting the onus on himself?!," but quickly realized he had too because he's the President that has to be the model for the rest of us.

Jonathan, your nitpicking is not only petty but shows that you are incapable of getting the bigger picture in that speech. The fact that President Obama used “we” most of the time should convince you that that was a simple omission and not a deliberate one. From now on, I categorize you with Velmar Hart who asked President Obama "what was in there for me" despite the fact that she and her husband were working at the time of this question and had two children in a private school as well. Both of you are attention seekers and that is despicable. I guess you are seeking to be invited by Mr. Scarborough who is always on a “prowl” for people like you go on his show to criticize the President. "I" instead of "we" in a sentence out of many is picayune. Did you see these three sentences? “I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us - we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations.” These two sentences nullify any accusation you may have. If you are looking for a topic to write about here are a few:
Examine everything about Jared Loughner and use your findings to write a thesis that will tie him to either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. The facts will not lie if you do a good job. Chronicle words from his writings and sayings to bolster your conclusions.
Everything the Tea Party members are revolting against started during the Bush presidency. Do some investigations to find out why they did not start their militancy then. Militancy here means extremely active in the defense or support of a cause, often to the point of extremism.
Investigate and find out why Speaker Boehner did not appoint some republicans reps to stand in for him at the Tucson Memorial Service since he could not go because of a Fundraiser Cocktails especially since he is the Leader of the House.
Investigate why the republicans want to repeal the Health Care Bill despite the fact that Americans are benefitting from it already and stand to benefit more in the future, and also, despite the fact that they inserted seven provisions of the Health Care provisions in their Pledge to America. I hope that your investigative report will help to confirm whether they used the procedural maneuver they so abhorred during the Health Care debate to decide to push the repeal ahead.
You don’t have to choose any of these topics; you can come up with yours.

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